Signs and Symptoms

Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers typically deny or minimize the problem. They also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. For example, problem gamblers often withdraw from their loved ones, sneak around, and lie about where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to.

Do I have a gambling problem?

You may have a gambling problem if you:

Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling. You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others won’t understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.

Have trouble controlling your gambling. Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?

Gamble even when you don’t have the money. A red flag is when you are getting more and more desperate to recoup your losses. You may gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar and then move on to money you don’t have- money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell or even steal things for gambling money. It’s a vicious cycle. You may sincerely believe that gambling more money is the only way to win lost money back. But it only puts you further and further in the hole.

Family and friends are worried about you. Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. Take a hard look at how gambling is affecting your life. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help.

Test yourself - If you wonder whether you have a gambling problem or are addicted to gambling, you can ask yourself the 10 questions below. If you answer ‘yes’ to one or more questions, you should stop and seek help. If you answer ‘yes’ to more than five questions, you have developed a gambling addiction.

Are you preoccupied with gambling? Do you become ‘absent’ when you gamble/think about gambling?

Do you need to gamble more often and with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement/affect?

Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop gambling?

Are you restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?

Do you gamble as a way of forgetting or escaping from day-to-day problems?

After losing money gambling, do you often return another day to get even?

Do you lie to family members and acquaintances to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling?

Have you committed illegal acts (such as theft, forgery, or embezzlement etc.) to finance gambling?

Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational opportunity because of gambling

Do you rely on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?

The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.

www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)

Web Resources

Quotes

"Not only was gambling destroying my family and me financially, it was more importantly destroying my soul."

John

"The more I won, the deeper my happy, little gambling hobby sank into a dark and dangerous compulsion. I literally couldn’t stay away."

Leo Dirr

"I stole from friends or borrowed money with concocted stories to hide my gambling losses, I had become a pretty despicable person."

Graham

"My life is now fulfilled and in retrospect I can see how miserable and unhappy I really was and I don’t now know where I found the time or interest to gamble on pokies."

Elsie

"I used every dollar I could spare (and money that I could not spare) to put into the money-hungry pokie machines."

Roy

"I stopped going out with my friends, didn't take care of myself, and literally became apathetic about anyone who are not interested in gambling."

Tom

"When my mum gambles and looses everything, I lose everything too."

Kate

"Loneliness and desperation are bad reasons to gamble but it happens to the best of us."

Amy

"The glitz of the lights, the sounds of the slots, the hope in the air. It all made me feel so alive."

Leo

"I was always a casual gambler but now I have become a loner and my entire days are consumed with it."

Rick

"I've almost lost my home, my car, all of my savings are gone and I can't seem to stop myself."

Anonymous

"I began by playing for an hour or two every so often. Eventually I was playing from eleven every day."

Xavier

"I am an addict. I am a liar; I am a cheat; I am a thief. I am all of these things when I am in addiction."

Jane

"I chased that big win every day of my life, figuring that I can do this again."

Arnie Wexler

"It’s a rip-off. But I can’t complain because I made the mistake of getting involved in it."

Tony

"My intention was never to steal money. I had a very serious problem. I was a desperate man trying to cover up my addiction. I know what I did was wrong."

Scott Glandon

"The internet is making all the difference now. It's still gambling and still potentially destructive but it is hidden away."

Faith

"Everyone believes the harm is how much money is spent, and that what’s driving the compulsive gamblers is a desire to make money. But the idea of winning money falls away when you get to the point of addiction."

Natasha

"What feelings rise up in the hearts of parents when they discover that their beautiful, intelligent child is using drugs or drinking massive amounts of alcohol?"

Anonymous

"Learn from the mistake you've made and understand why you did it, and then put the lessons you've learnt into action"

John Rogers, PhD

"I saw my father for who he was, instead of the man I had created in my mind"

Lucy

"That bubble burst when I heard him turn to a friend and say, “Gimme $600.” My mouth fell open at the request and then my eyes went wide as the request was granted. So much for responsible."

Lucy

"I couldn’t even imagine the state of my family’s finances being contingent upon whether Dragon Tail come in first in the fifth at Aqueduct"

Lucy

"I have messed up yet again. I have lied, stolen, borrowed and broken the last bit of trust you all may have had for me"

Liam Conaghan

"I stole my girlfriend's (at the time) and sisters bank cards and emptied their accounts before later getting my friends details for money that I soon gambled away. At that moment I knew I had reached rock bottom of my life."

Liam Conaghan

"Even if I win, I will keep gambling until it's all gone again and without any logic, I will use all our money available."

Katy

"When I stopped drinking in 1992, after years of alcohol abuse, I almost immediately began gambling. It very quickly became a problem which I could not control. I wanted to stop, tried to stop, but couldn’t."

Alan

"I believe I began playing the machines for fun and excitement. At first I saw no harm in it. The truth was though; I was really trying to fulfil instantly something that was missing in my life."

Will

"I have not gambled since my first visit with my new counsellor, but I don’t want to make the mistake I made the last time and stop the counselling too early."

Gail

"My gambling has had an impact on my marriage as there have been frequent arguments over the years about my gambling, about the debts and the uncertainty of our financial situation."

Ricardo

"One night after not being able to sleep from sheer guilt and fear, I woke my fiancé up early in the morning and told him everything. My fiancé was stunned and shocked by this revelation. He was so disappointed and that made me really want to give up gambl"

Elaine

"If it wasn't for her gambling counsellor I don't think I would have made it this far."

Amy

"I was out of control and not seeing things too clearly and I hate to say I didn't care."

Cheryl

"I had it all, wonderful husband, son, family, friends, home and career. Then, eighteen years later I found myself divorced and starting again."

Angie

"I understand now that the reason I was playing the machines was to supplement the lack of excitement in my life."

Tips & Hints

Ask someone to help you

Don't be put off by this. You can do it on your own but the support of others makes it easier, especially if you've got serious problem...

Don't be put off by this. You can do it on your own but the support of others makes it easier, especially if you've got serious problems caused by gambling. This person might be a spouse, parent, friend or counsellor.

Limit your access to cash

About one in five problem gamblers can give it up fairly easily. Most find that for quite a time they can't stop if they have cash in t...

About one in five problem gamblers can give it up fairly easily. Most find that for quite a time they can't stop if they have cash in their pocket and the club, TAB or casino is open. Many who stop gambling take a lot of trouble to get their cash flow under control.

Fill the gap

Problem gamblers may spend 10-20 hours or more a week gambling. They also spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about their gamblin...

Problem gamblers may spend 10-20 hours or more a week gambling. They also spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about their gambling. When you give up gambling you need to fill the gap it leaves. There are lots of ways to do this such as getting to know family and friends if you have neglected them while gambling or taking another part-time job.

Friends can help

There is no doubt that if you have help from your spouse and close friends you are more likely to succeed. Make an effort to explain yo...

There is no doubt that if you have help from your spouse and close friends you are more likely to succeed. Make an effort to explain your problem to your friends. Most people can understand the problem of getting addicted. Once you can admit that your problem may have hurt them, and you can tell them so, then they will be rooting for you.

Relax and look after yourself

Giving up when you've spent hours each week gambling can make you feel tense and irritable. This can feel even worse when you still go ...

Giving up when you've spent hours each week gambling can make you feel tense and irritable. This can feel even worse when you still go into the places where you gambled, like to the club if you played the pokies, or pass a TAB or the casino on your way to work.

Gamblers Anonymous

Become a member of gamblers Anonymous group in your locality and get support from fellow gamblers in the group to tackle addiction. The...

Become a member of gamblers Anonymous group in your locality and get support from fellow gamblers in the group to tackle addiction. The support groups with people who are gamblers will help you deal with everyday temptations and provide invaluable insights in controlling the urge to gamble.

Calculate your wins and losses

Gamblers generally forget to get the real picture of things and are more fascinated about the speculation of the outcome. Make a record...

Gamblers generally forget to get the real picture of things and are more fascinated about the speculation of the outcome. Make a record of the games you have played, stakes won or lost and an absolute idea about the financial position. This will help you to observe the impact of your gambling activity.

Counselling

If you find it difficult to give up gambling, seek the help of a professional counsellor, who specializes in gambling addiction. The co...

If you find it difficult to give up gambling, seek the help of a professional counsellor, who specializes in gambling addiction. The counsellor near your area with adequate experience and qualification would guide you through recovery from addiction.

Admit Addiction

Gambling obsession can be cured only when people recognize the addiction and admit it. Admitting the problem and enrolling in a program...

Gambling obsession can be cured only when people recognize the addiction and admit it. Admitting the problem and enrolling in a program to recover from the addiction are vital. When your family or friends inform you about your compulsive attitude towards gambling, acknowledge it after evaluating your behaviour objectively.

Self-help books

Some self help books written by renowned authors can help you to learn more about controlling and curing gambling obsession. For overco...

Some self help books written by renowned authors can help you to learn more about controlling and curing gambling obsession. For overcoming gambling addiction, you can use the tips and guidelines mentioned in these books.

Handover the finances

Entrust the duty of handling your finances to someone else in your family. Allow them to pay bills, buy essential household stuff. Stay away from using money for a period of two to three months and check if you can avoid gambling altogether.

Start Today

Get Smart

Do as much reading as you can on topics relating to a gambling problem. When you do this, you will be more educated about what your add...

Do as much reading as you can on topics relating to a gambling problem. When you do this, you will be more educated about what your addiction entails and you will realize that there are solutions. Do a search on the internet and you will gain a better understanding of what this affliction is and the powerful impact it can have on your life.

Stay away from all forms of gambling

As you have decided to stop gambling, you must not gamble on anything, including lottery or raffle tickets. Stay away from all aspects ...

As you have decided to stop gambling, you must not gamble on anything, including lottery or raffle tickets. Stay away from all aspects of gambling because you can be easily tempted back into your primary addiction. For example, if you are a slots addict, and are out of control in his area, do not place bets on sports. Stay away from all forms of gambling.

Don't Run Over Your Problems

If you are addicted, it doesn’t mean that you are hopeless, you can always find means on how you can fight this dilemma that is makin...

If you are addicted, it doesn’t mean that you are hopeless, you can always find means on how you can fight this dilemma that is making your personality and your family rot. Everybody deserves a second chance. You have to use these chances to make your life even better than before. Don’t run over your problems, because it will hunt you down wherever you go.

Just Say No

Learn to say “no” to the gambler. No you won’t accompany them to the races. No you won’t lend them money. As they begin to real...

Learn to say “no” to the gambler. No you won’t accompany them to the races. No you won’t lend them money. As they begin to realise their friends and family no longer condone their actions they may start to address the problem head-on.

Change Takes time

The problem won’t get fixed overnight but recognise any progress and successes that the problem gambler makes. Learn to identify thei...

The problem won’t get fixed overnight but recognise any progress and successes that the problem gambler makes. Learn to identify their triggers and help them suppress urges to gamble when these triggers come up.

Never Accept the blame

As a loved one, this is not your fault – and besides, this is not the time to be blaming anybody. Often the blame will arise as a res...

As a loved one, this is not your fault – and besides, this is not the time to be blaming anybody. Often the blame will arise as a result of the problem gambler trying to justify their habit by shifting responsibility from his or her own shoulders, and should be ignored.

Don’t Lecture or Accuse

This is not the time for moral superiority and ivory towers. Showing the gambler that their problem is damaging themselves and you is i...

This is not the time for moral superiority and ivory towers. Showing the gambler that their problem is damaging themselves and you is important, but it is also important that they don’t leave the room feeling like scum, or resenting you for the way you have spoken to them in such a way that they’ll just ignore you.

Don’t Lend them Money

The problem gambler may be your best friend. You may have known each other since the day you were born. They probably fully intend to p...

The problem gambler may be your best friend. You may have known each other since the day you were born. They probably fully intend to pay you back but that’s literally down to chance, and particularly in industrial gambling the odds will be stacked against them (and you).

Don’t Let Them Manipulate You

An addict, gamblers included, can be a devious, cunning beast, and they will manipulate you and try to exert control over you in order ...

An addict, gamblers included, can be a devious, cunning beast, and they will manipulate you and try to exert control over you in order to fulfil their need for a hit of gambling. Make sure you know what they’re doing and why, and always keep in mind how each action would affect their addiction.

Talk to a debt counselor

Talk to a debt counselor about your gambling debts to relieve financial pressure and find out how to solve financial problems caused by...

Talk to a debt counselor about your gambling debts to relieve financial pressure and find out how to solve financial problems caused by your compulsive gambling problem. This is important, because the financial stress that you have from gambling addiction debts can actually drive you back to gambling if not addressed.

Get Professional Help

If you are depressed, anxious, or perhaps even suicidal because of gambling, you must seek out professional counseling immediately. 24 ...

If you are depressed, anxious, or perhaps even suicidal because of gambling, you must seek out professional counseling immediately. 24 hour gambling hotlines and suicide hotlines are available for you if you are in a gambling crisis.

Talk about lying

When people lie about gambling and debts, they may sometimes try to gamble their way out of debt so they won't have to ‘come clean'. ...

When people lie about gambling and debts, they may sometimes try to gamble their way out of debt so they won't have to ‘come clean'. This usually leads them further in to debt. Coming clean about gambling with a trusted person can relieve pressure and provide the space to prepare a more thoughtful plan for recovery. Lying is a hard habit to break. If it happens with your support person, it stops them being able to help you because they won't trust what you say. You and your helper need to talk about this and plan out how to cope.

Become a good problem solver

If problems happen in other parts of your life, don't stick your head in the sand. Do what you've done about gambling. Look your proble...

If problems happen in other parts of your life, don't stick your head in the sand. Do what you've done about gambling. Look your problem in the eye and cope with it. Good problem solving has the following steps:
- Recognise there is a problem and look closely at it.
- Brainstorm all the ways you could deal with the problem. Write out a list and put down even the silly or impossible ideas.
- Decide on the best solution and try it out.
- Check to see if it works. If it doesn't, start again.

Busts and setbacks

Problem gamblers can kick the habit. However, you must be fair to yourself. Problem gambling is like an addiction. It is really hard to...

Problem gamblers can kick the habit. However, you must be fair to yourself. Problem gambling is like an addiction. It is really hard to stop or keep it under control. You can often predict when problem gambling will reappear. You are more likely to lose control when you have bad times in other parts of your life that make you feel sad, anxious, angry or depressed. When you feel this way, it's challenging to stick to your plans, as you may feel an urge to borrow some money and go back to the old habit.

List all the advantages of ceasing gambling

Keep in mind the benefits of stopping gambling, as this will help you to stay the course. Some of the main advantages to keep in mind a...

Keep in mind the benefits of stopping gambling, as this will help you to stay the course. Some of the main advantages to keep in mind are: you will save more money, get out of debt and spend more time with your family.

List all the problems you have had due to gambling

Remind yourself that when you completely stop gambling, these problems will start to resolve. Stop being in denial, face the facts abou...

Remind yourself that when you completely stop gambling, these problems will start to resolve. Stop being in denial, face the facts about your addiction and the harm it has caused you. Acknowledging these problems is important – you will do your best to stop gambling and eliminate these problems.